Chewing gum disposal container and dispenser

ABSTRACT

A chewing gum disposal system employable with a tabletop sweetener container conventionally employed to hold envelopes of sugar and sweeteners. A stack of wrappers or envelopes is dispensed from a housing having an interior cavity adapted to hold the stack. The housing is engageable to a sidewall of the existing sweetener container and has an aperture adapted to dispense the wrappers sequentially therethrough. The stack is insertable in the cavity by sliding it through an opening and the stack may also be formed as a cartridge using a cover thereby making the stack replaceable as a cartridge. Coupons may be engaged to dispense concurrently with each wrapper. The system may also be formed as an integral component to a sweetener container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed system and method relate generally to the sanitarydisposal of chewing gum. More particularly, it relates to a disposalcontainer adapted for retainment and disposal of exhausted chewing gumand a dispensing apparatus therefor. The disclosed device and method ofdispensing is especially well adapted for employment in restaurants andpublic places which currently lack an easily deployed and employedsystem for patrons to dispose of chewing gum from their mouths. Stillfurther, the device and method may be employed using coupons asinducements for use and enzymes for enhanced breakdown of the leftovergum material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chewing gum, in various forms, is enjoyed by users worldwide and hasexisted in one form or another for hundreds if not thousands of years.The evolution of modern chewing gum started in the mid-1800's whenchicle, a naturally occurring latex-like material, was employed in gumas a substitute for prior-employed carriers for flavoring such a rubber.Gum flavored chicle and other latex has a generally smoother and softertexture, giving users a more enjoyable tactile feeling while chewing.Additionally, natural latex type materials hold flavorings much betterthan prior employed carriers for such flavorings. Modernly, most chewinggum manufacturers have changed their flavor carriers from chicle typematerials to a synthetic gum base which modern chemistry has madeavailable.

In the United States and most other countries, chewing gum has becomeextremely popular since it provides long-lasting flavor to the user andis inexpensive. There is no standard type of gum since it can be formedin many different shapes and sizes. Being a product that is chewed inthe mouth for long periods, chewing gum is a combination of awater-insoluble gum base material impregnated with water-solubleflavorings and sweeteners. Thus, the base material does not dissolve inthe user's mouth while the gum is chewed to release the flavoring.

Because the gum base does not dissolve, a dilemma is faced by the useras to how to dispose of chewed gum. This is especially true where theuser enters a restaurant or movie theater or other venue offering foodand drink. In order to eat and drink, the user must dispose of theundissolved gum base still occupying their mouth. This is an especiallyunsanitary problem since the human mouth is host to many thousands ofdifferent germ and bacteria types which take up residence in the gumbase. Further, chewing gum adheres firmly to concrete, plastic, wood,table tops and table bottoms, theater and restaurant seat bottoms, andjust about any other hard surfaces where a user might seek to deposit achewed mass. As a result, deposit of the gum from the user's mouthallows germs and bacteria to hitchhike to the new surface on which theused gum is adhered or otherwise placed, making for a very unsanitaryproblem.

Aside from the unsanitary nature of used gum, there is a practicalproblem with subsequent removal of adhered wads. The adhesive ability ofgum base, especially once dried, is legendary, and substantial effort isrequired to remove it. Considering that the adhesive effect of chewinggum can be so strong that it can remove food particles attached to theteeth or even remove a filling from a tooth, removal from a sidewalk,table bottom, or seat at a restaurant can be particularly vexing. It isnot uncommon to see urban sidewalks and train platforms speckled withthousands of patches of dried, discarded gum. Further, the bottoms ofseats in theaters and the bottom of restaurant tables can also becomepockmarked with large quantities of gum wads. As a consequence, venueswhere gum collects in adhered positions and must be removed would beespecially well served by the device and method in preventing customers'disposal of exhausted gum on tables, chairs and the like.

Finally, manufacturers of different brands of gum are constantly lookingfor new ways to advertise their products and to be seen as goodcorporate citizens protecting the sidewalks and public places from abuildup of unsanitary and unsightly gum material. By providing a meansfor sanitary disposal of the end product of their gum products,manufacturers of chewing gum can be seen as protecting the localenvironment from the results of their used products. Additionallycoupons can be provided concurrently on the dispensing of the gumcontainers to enhance sales of subsequent products.

As such, there exists an unmet need for a used chewing gum disposalcontainer and method for dispensing such a component. Such a containershould be inexpensive since it is required in large quantities andshould be easily employed by a gum chewer. Such a container should havea dispensing system that is easily employed in restaurants and otherestablishments which offer food and drink and therefor inherentlyrequire that gum chewers dispose of their mouth contents prior to eatingor drinking. Still further, such a device should encourage use by theuser who may still be tempted to use the bottom of a restaurant table asthe ultimate depository for their mouth contents. Such a device andmethod should provide for easy deposit of the gum of a user therein andconsequently encourage use.

It is an object of this invention to provide inexpensive and easilyemployed containers for chewing gum disposal of by users.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a method anddevice that is easily employed in restaurants, bars, theaters and thelike with no major changes or purchases by owners of suchestablishments.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a method andapparatus which will encourage gum users to use it rather than thebottom of a table or chair through the inclusion of ease of use,sanitary disposal, and optionally a reward for use.

With respect to the above description and background, before explainingat least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and to the arrangement of the componentsand/or steps set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The various apparatus and methods of deployment and use ofthe invention herein described and disclosed are capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways whichwill be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review thisdisclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andjargonistic terminology employed herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based for receiving and disposing ofchewing gum, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of otherdevices, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes ofthe present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that theobjects and claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionand methodology, insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the device disclosed herein are directed at animproved method and apparatus for disposal of unsanitary and unsightlywads of used chewing gum. The system is especially well adapted forinstallation in restaurants and bars, without any major structuralchanges to the tables or requirements for major purchases of newcomponents and equipment. Therefore it can be easily and inexpensivelyimplemented by restaurant and bar owners without great expense fordispensing components. Further, the device and method herein, does notoccupy an inordinate amount of space on an already crowded table top andin one embodiment encourages patron use by dispensing coupons with thegum container wrappers which the user may employ for subsequentpurchases. Since gum removal and sanitation of tables and chairs is bothtime consuming and a major expense for eateries and the like, easydeployment and encouraging inducements for use by patrons are anespecially attractive aspect of the device and method which alsoincreases its utility to users.

The device and method herein may be employed using one or a combinationof extra components depending on the venue in which it will be used. Ineateries and bars where sanitation and labor removal of unsightly gumwads is especially expensive to the owner, inexpensive implementationand components which encourage patron use are especially desirable.However, in other venues where unsanitary disposal of gum may not besuch an extensive and costly problem, the simpler mode of the inventionmight be preferential.

In a particularly preferred mode of the device, it is provided incombination with a conventional table top sugar package container. Aprimary reason for this combination is provided by research which showsthat many restaurant patrons will take sugar or sugar substitutepackages and needlessly empty them to thereafter employ the container asa used gum wrapper. This is a particularly expensive problem forrestaurant owners since these small packaged sweeteners cost money,especially the artificial sweeteners. To have clients throwing away thecontents to employ the sweetener wrapper as a gum disposal envelopeincreases operating costs by a significant factor, especially in thecase of a large chain restaurant or an establishment such as a coffeehouse which does not serve more expensive food items.

By providing a sugar and sweetener package table housing, having aseparate side or bottom compartment adapted to house cartridges ofstacked gum disposal wrappers in either planar or envelope form, thedevice places the wrappers directly in the path of patrons reaching forthe sweetener envelope to use for their gum. Instead, on a sidewall orother surface of the table top container, a gum disposal wrapper willextend, which once pulled, will pull the distal end of the next wrapperin the wrapper package, to project from the device. Patrons will thusstop the costly and wasteful use of sweetener packages when presentedwith the gum wrappers. In the case of a plain or planar wrapper the userwould cover the gum for disposal. When employing a wrapper in the formof an envelope, the user would open the cover and drop their gum throughthe mouth of the envelope into the interior.

The device and method employing this combination gum wrapper containeris preferred especially where a cavity is formed which is adapted indimension to hold sweetener envelopes upright. On one of the sidewallsforming the sweetener envelope cavity is located a wrapper dispensingcavity. The wrapper cavity is sized to house a pre-formed stack orpackage of gum wrappers and to allow a slide-in insertion of the packagefor easy deployment and replacement. A slot extends vertically orhorizontally, depending on the placement of the wrapper cavity on thesidewall, to an edge of an open end of the wrapper cavity. This slotallows for easy insertion of a stacked wrapper package of planar orenvelope wrappers, with the first wrapper extending from the surface ofthe package and through the slot. Consequently, easy initial filling andrefilling of the wrapper cavity is provided. Because gravity will tendto hold the wrapper package into a cavity filled from the top, the modedepicted in the figures herein is particularly preferred for ease ofuse.

In a second preferred mode of the device, the cavity housing the gumwrappers in a stacked configuration is situated inside the cavity formedfor the sweetener envelopes. Access to the wrapper cavity is providedthrough the top edge of the sweetener cavity, and an elongated aperturein a sidewall forming the sweetener cavity provides access to thewrappers which will consecutively extend from the aperture as thewrappers are pulled from the package by users.

A third preferred mode of the device employs a wrapper package cavityhoused inside the sweetener cavity and top side access. However, a slotextends to the top edge defining the open side of the sweetener cavityto allow an easy slide-in loading of the replacement packages ofsequentially dispensed wrappers.

If patron inducement for use is a concern, another preferred mode of thedevice and method herein would provide coupons which would concurrentlydispense with the individual wrappers. This would be done by providing afrangible portion on each wrapper that would have a coupon, or, morepreferably, a planar coupon mated to a sidewall of each planarindividual wrapper or to the cover portion of each envelope stylewrapper, such that when the wrapper is pulled from the package, thecoupon separates and the user has both components loose without havingto tear a perforated portion of the wrapper, which considering thethinness of the material might be a challenge. In the envelope form ofthe wrapper, the coupon may be placed into the interior cavity therebyencouraging opening of the envelope for use by hiding a surprise inside.The coupon could be for the establishment the device occupies or forother types of establishments.

In a retrofit embodiment of the device which would enable restaurantowners to keep their current sweetener package containers, an engageablecomponent forming the cavity adapted to hold and dispense the gumwrappers is provided. This mode of the device functions the same as thefirst noted mode in that a top loading cavity for the gum wrappers isformed along a sidewall of the sweetener cavity. This attachable wrappercavity would have an adhesive strip or other means for easy butpermanent attachment provided and would be employed as a low-costretrofit to existing sweetener containers. This mode may also beespecially well received if the restaurant has expensive or customsweetener holders they wish to keep.

Finally, in a more Spartan mode of the device, which is adaptable toengagement to many different surfaces, the wrapper packets would beprovided with a covering providing the housing for the internallystacked wrappers. The covering would be plastic or paper and will havemeans to adhere the covering and wrappers to the side of the sweetenercontainers. This too would be an easy retrofit but may be prone to theftsince the covering must be removed to replace the supply and patrons mayavail themselves of the packages. However, this mode of the device couldbe employed on a plurality of different surfaces such as a cardashboard, a tabletop, or other such surfaces.

The foregoing summary and following detailed description are consideredas illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, allsuitable modifications and equivalents which may be resorted to areconsidered to be fall within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the first mode of the device showing a wrappercavity formed upon a sidewall of a sweetener package container.

FIG. 2 depicts a mode of the device herein having a wrapper cavityformed inside the sweetener package holding cavity providing wrapperdispensing through a sidewall and access through the top opening to thecavity.

FIG. 3 depicts a mode of the device adapted for adhesive engagement to asidewall of an existing sweetener package tabletop container used inmodern restaurants.

FIG. 4 depicts a mode of the device wherein a wrapper cavity is formedinto the bottom wall of the tabletop container.

FIG. 5 depicts a mode of the device wherein a wrapper cavity is formedinto the sidewall of the tabletop container.

FIG. 6 shows a mode of the device wherein a cover is employed to hold astack of dispensable gum wrappers and means for attachment is employedto engage the cover to a tabletop container.

FIG. 7 depicts a mode of the device wherein a coupon is dispensedconcurrently with the dispensing of a used gum wrapper.

FIG. 8 shows a mode of the device having a frangible portion which couldact as a coupon that is removable from the wrapper portion whendispensed.

FIG. 9 depicts a particularly preferred mode of the device featuring atabletop container for sweeteners and salt and pepper.

FIG. 10 shows a mode of the device employable as a salt and peppershaker holder or with small packets of salt and pepper in the saltshaker cavity 30 and the pepper shaker cavity 32.

FIG. 11 depicts the stacked engagement of planar wrappers for sequentialdisbursement.

FIG. 12 depicts the stacked engagement of envelopes for sequentialdisbursement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in FIGS. 1-12, some preferred embodimentsof the present invention in current preferred modes are shown anddescribed. The device 10 features a plurality of individual wrappers 12in the form of either planar wrappers 12 or envelopes 12 a. The wrappers12 and 12 a are stacked in an engaged relationship at an engagementpoint 11 wherein one or a combination of adhesive, folding of adjoiningwrappers 12 or 12 a to each other, or other means of removableengagement is employed, to pull a trailing wrapper with the leadingwrapper and thereby to leave a wrapper 12 or 12 a projecting from awrapper housing 14 or a cover forming the housing and/or through andappropriate aperture 24 in the sidewall 22 of a sweetener container 16.

When the device 10 is employed in a mode in combination with a sweetenercontainer 16 commonly employed in places such as restaurants and coffeehouses to hold packages of sweetener and sugar on tabletops, it may bedeployed in a number of modes. As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 9, a preferredmode of the device herein is to employ the sweetener container 16 itselfin combination with or as a part of the dispensing component for thewrappers 12 and 12 a. This would be done by providing a retrofitcomponent to form a housing for the wrappers.

The wrapper housing 14 provides a covering for the internally housedwrappers 12 and 12 a if they are not in a cover 15 in a cartridge style.The housing 14 may be provided by sectioning the sweetener containerwherein the covering 15 may not be required. The covering 15 if employeddoes make loading wrappers easier as a slide in cartridge and would bepaper or a strong polymer adapted to hold the wrappers 12 and 12 a andallow easy dispensing therethrough. The wrapper housing 14 as noted canbe employed in combination with a sweetener container 16 adapted toengage it, or as shown in FIGS. 6-8 the housing 14 may be one of themain components of a dispensing system for the wrappers 12 and 12 a.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this preferred mode of the device 10 a wrappercavity 18 is formed upon an exterior of a sidewall 22 of the sweetenercontainer 16 in between a wall 25. The wrapper cavity 18 in this mode ofthe device 10 provides for an easy drop-in engagement of the wrapperhousing 14 containing the wrappers 12 and 12 a from the top of thesweetener container 16. A section or wall 25 provides the separationbetween the sweetener container 16 portion and the wrapper cavity. Toretrofit older containers 16 the wall 25 can be distributed with thewrappers 12 and 12 a and the wrappers disbursed through the top byemploying an aperture in the cover 15. An aperture 24 through thesidewall 22 extending to the top edge of the sweetener container isespecially preferred since allows for the easy placement and replacementof the wrappers 12 and 12 a.

In FIG. 2 there is shown another preferred mode of the device 10 wherethe wrapper cavity 18 is also formed inside and adjacent to thesweetener cavity 20. In all modes of the device 10, the wrappers 12 and12 a are either stacked as in FIGS. 11 and 12, to dispense sequentiallyor enclosed in the cover 15 and stacked to dispense sequentiallytherefrom. In this stacked mode, the trailing edge of a dispensedwrapper 12 and 12 a pulls the leading edge of the trailing wrapper 12and 12 a to project one end for gripping. As shown in FIG. 2 afterinsertion of a stack of wrappers 12 or 12 a, the leading edge of thewrapper 12 will extend through a sidewall 22 using a horizontal aperture24 instead of a vertically disposed aperture 24 extending vertically tothe top edge. This mode would discourage theft of the entire supply ofwrappers 12 or 12 a since it cannot as easily slide out as that of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 depicts a mode of the device 10 wherein a wrapper housing 14 isprovided which is adapted to engage the sidewall 22 of the sweetenercontainer 16 and form a wrapper cavity 18 extending from the sidewall 22once engaged. Means for engagement of the wrapper housing 14 to thesweetener container 16 can be adhesive, glue, or other means to hold thewrapper housing 14 to a sidewall 22 of a sweetener container 16 such asan adhesive pad 13 shown in FIG. 6. The aperture 24 can be eitherhorizontal or vertical as shown in the other drawings. This mode of thedevice 10 is especially preferred in that it easily adapts existingsweetener containers 16 to the new configuration having a wrapper cavity18 and thereby allows restaurants and other users to keep theirinstalled base of sweetener containers 16. Once the wrapper housing 14is affixed, the wrappers 12 or 12 a can be stocked into the wrappercavity 18 for use. As noted, any of the wrappers 12 or 12 a noted hereincan be employed with this mode of the device or any other mode of thedevice herein described.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a mode of the device 10 wherein a wrappercavity 18 is formed into the bottom wall 23 of the tabletop sweetenercontainer 16. This can be done at manufacture or by engagement of acavity housing 19 adapted to engage the bottom of the sweetenercontainer 16. In this mode, the aperture 24 to dispense the wrappers 12would be side-positioned such that wrappers 12 or 12 a may be pulledfrom the wrapper cavity 18. This mode is adapted for an easy insertionof a cover 15 with stacked wrappers 12 or 12 a inside or with wrappers12 or 12 a and the mated coupons 26 inside the cover 15.

As noted, in FIG. 5 a mode of the device 10 is shown wherein a wrappercavity 18 is formed into a hollow sidewall 22 of the tabletop typesweetener container 16. This mode is best formed during manufacture. Anyof the disclosed wrappers 12 or 12 a and/or wrapper housings 14containing dispensable wrappers 12 or 12 a may be used with this mode ofthe device 10. Of course insertable containers having a cover 15 wouldprovide the easiest loading as with that of FIGS. 1-5 and in the case ofthe device 10 having coupons 26 mated to the wrappers 12 or 12 a, thecontainer having a cover 15 provides for easy change out of the wrappers12 and the coupons 26 once a promotion ends.

Depicted in FIG. 6 there is a mode of the device 10 wherein the cover 15is employed as the wrapper housing to hold a stack of dispensablewrappers in a cartridge that is easily inserted into a wrapper cavity18. With the addition of a means for adhesion such as the peel and stickadhesive pad 13, this mode of the device will enable the cover 15 tooperate as the wrapper housing and is easily adapted for engagement to asurface of the tabletop type sweetener container 16 or other condimentcontainer. It could also be sold for attachment to a car dashboard orrefrigerator or other surface in other venues. The cover would best beof a polymer or coated paper or foil because such materials providemeans to maintain the wrappers 12 inside dry yet to also allow fordispensing the wrappers 14 singularly but sequentially. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, in all modes of the device 10 the wrappers 12 arestacked and have means for removable engagement at an engagement point11 at the trailing ends of dispensed wrappers 12. This means forremovable engagement provides that the leading edge of the next wrapper12 or 12 a to a position where it can be pulled by the fingers of auser.

In a particularly preferred mode of the device 10 which may be employedwith all of the embodiments herein, the planar wrappers 12 of FIG. 11may be coated on one side surface with a fluid proofing 17 layer orcoating to protect the wrapper 12 from liquid in the gum such asunsanitary saliva, from oozing through the wrapper 12 from the gumdeposited inside. The envelope type wrappers 12 a can be coated insidethe envelope or on the outside surface. A polymer or vegetable coatedpaper would work well for the fluid proofing 17 layer. Optionally, andalso preferred, an inside surface coating 11 of the wrappers 12 or 12 awhich engages and holds the disposed gum, shown in FIG. 8, may have anenzyme or chemical imparted thereon, such as Papain or saliva relatedenzymes, as a means to dissolve gum base left over from chewing. Any gumdeposited into such a wrapper 12 or 12 a will thus have a dilution ordecomposition speed which is enhanced by the surface coating. Further,it would be especially preferable if a scent is released from thewrappers 12 or 12 a during initial use to encourage that use. In thismode, the wrappers 12 or 12 a can be scented with fragrances.

FIG. 7 depicts a mode of the device wherein a coupon 26 is dispensedconcurrently with the dispensing of a planar style gum wrapper 12. Thecoupon can also be dispensed with the envelope style wrappers 12 a in asimilar fashion. This coupon 26 can be from the gum manufacturer toencourage use of the wrappers 12 or 12 a or from local merchants or eventhe restaurant itself. This coupon 26 would act as a means forinducement of use of the wrappers 12 and also a means to generaterevenue and pay for the wrappers 12 so they might be distributed forfree. Also shown is an adhesive means such as a peel and stick adhesivepad 13 which would hold the wrapper housing 14 to the intended surfacefor dispensing of the used-gum wrappers 12 or 12 a. The adhesive meanswould allow the device 10 with a cover 15 housing the wrappers 12 or 12a, to be engaged to any surface or act as a means to retain the device10 inside a cavity 18 to help prevent theft.

FIG. 8 shows a mode of the device having a frangible portion 28 whichcould act as a coupon 26 that is removable from the wrapper 12 portionwhen dispensed. This mode of the device 10 would eliminate the need fortwo items to be dispensed in the form of the coupon 26 and wrapper 12and instead dispense both sequentially as a unitary but separablestructure. When employed with the envelope style wrappers 12 a, thecoupon 26 would best be frangibly, adhesively, or otherwise removablyengaged to the cover 27 portion, or be placed inside the internal cavityof the envelope style wrapper 12 a. If placed inside it will encourageuse since the user will need to open the cover 27 and look inside to seethe coupon 26.

FIG. 9 depicts a mode of the device 10 which is particularly useful forcontainment of sweeteners and for the salt and pepper shaker condimentsused on restaurant tables. This mode of the device 10 features in asingle unit, a salt shaker cavity 30 and pepper shaker cavity 32 and asweetener cavity 20. The wrapper cavity 18 is engaged to a sidewall 22and has an aperture 24 adapted to a slide-in engagement of a stack ofwrappers 12 or preferably a stack of wrappers 12 or 12 a inside cover15.

FIG. 10 shows a mode of the device 10 which would be employed as a saltand pepper shaker holder or could be employed with small packets of saltand paper in the salt shaker cavity 30 and the pepper shaker cavity 32.

The device and method for providing gum disposal wrappers in adispensing component combined with sugar package containers, shown inthe drawings and described in detail herein, disclosed steps in aprocess, arrangements of elements of particular construction, andconfiguration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure andmethod of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood,however, that elements of different construction and configuration anddifferent steps and process procedures and other arrangements thereof,other than those illustrated and described, may be employed forproviding the apparatus and any method herein withing the spirit of thisinvention.

As such, while the present invention has been described herein withreference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude ofmodifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in theforegoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instancesome features of the invention could be employed without a correspondinguse of other features without departing from the scope of the inventionas set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations andmodifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are consideredto be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in theappended claims.

1. In a tabletop sweetener container employed in restaurants having asidewall extending from a bottom wall to form a cavity for holdingenvelopes of sugar or artificial sweetener, a chewing gum disposalwrapper dispensing apparatus for employment in combination with saidsweetener container comprising: a plurality of interleaved wrappers in astack, each said wrappers having a leading edge and a trailing edge;means for removable engagement of said trailing edge of each saidwrapper in said stack to a said leading edge of an adjacent subsequentlyplaced said wrapper in said stack; a housing, said housing having aninterior cavity sized to accommodate said stack of wrappers; an aperturecommunicating through said housing with said interior cavity, saidaperture providing means to place a said leading edge of a first of saidwrappers in said stack to a projecting position extending from saidaperture; and means for engagement of said housing to said sidewall ofsaid sweetener container, whereby said housing and said stack ofwrappers are engageable to a said sweetener container and said wrappersare sequentially dispensable from said stack through said aperture. 2.The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:said housing having an opening in said side edge communicating with bothsaid interior cavity and said aperture; said opening providing means toslide said stack of wrappers into said interior cavity with a saidleading edge of a first of said wrappers positioned to project from saidstack and concurrently slide into said aperture as said stack is slidinto said interior cavity through said opening.
 3. The wrapperdispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: said housingcomprising a cover surrounding said stack of wrappers.
 4. The wrapperdispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for engagement ofsaid housing to said sidewall of said sweetener container is adhesive.5. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means forengagement of said housing to said sidewall of said sweetener containeris adhesive.
 6. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 3 wherein saidmeans for engagement of said housing to said sidewall of said sweetenercontainer is adhesive.
 7. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1,additionally comprising: each said wrapper in said stack mated to aseparable coupon concurrently dispensed with said respective wrapperwhereby each said wrapper pulled from said stack is accompanied by asaid coupon providing means to reward use of said wrapper and encourageuse thereof.
 8. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2,additionally comprising: each said wrapper in said stack mated to aseparable coupon concurrently dispensed with said respective wrapperwhereby each said wrapper pulled from said stack is accompanied by asaid coupon providing means to reward use of said wrapper and encourageuse thereof.
 9. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 3,additionally comprising: each said wrapper in said stack mated to aseparable coupon concurrently dispensed with said respective wrapperwhereby each said wrapper pulled from said stack is accompanied by asaid coupon providing means to reward use of said wrapper and encourageuse thereof.
 10. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1,additionally comprising: said wrappers being envelopes having a coverportion at said leading edge.
 11. The wrapper dispensing apparatus ofclaim 2, additionally comprising: said wrappers being envelopes having acover portion at said leading edge.
 12. The wrapper dispensing apparatusof claim 7, additionally comprising: said wrappers being envelopeshaving a cover portion at said leading edge; and said coupon removablyengaged to said cover portion.
 13. The wrapper dispensing apparatus ofclaim 8, additionally comprising: said wrappers being envelopes having acover portion at said leading edge; and said coupon removably engaged tosaid cover portion.
 14. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 8,additionally comprising: said wrappers being envelopes having a coverportion at said leading edge; and said coupon positioned inside saidenvelope in an internal cavity accessed by rotating said cover portion,said coupon thereby providing means to induce use of said envelope byencouraging an opening of said envelope to retrieve said coupon.
 15. Thewrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: saidwrappers having a surface coating of an enzyme or solvent adapted tobreak down chewing gum.
 16. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2,additionally comprising: said wrappers having a surface coating of anenzyme or solvent adapted to break down chewing gum.
 17. The wrapperdispensing apparatus of claim 14, additionally comprising: said internalcavity having a surface coating of an enzyme or solvent adapted to breakdown chewing gum.
 18. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2,additionally comprising: said housing having a substantially “U” shapedhousing sidewall and a bottom wall; said sidewall of said tabletopsweetener container providing a second sidewall of said housing oppositesaid housing sidewall when said housing is engaged to said sweetenercontainer; and said opening formed opposite said bottom wall betweensaid housing sidewall and said second sidewall.
 19. The wrapperdispensing apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising: said housinghaving a substantially “U” shaped housing sidewall and a bottom wall;said sidewall of said tabletop sweetener container providing a secondsidewall of said housing opposite said housing sidewall when saidhousing is engaged to said sweetener container; and said opening formedopposite said bottom wall between said housing sidewall and said secondsidewall.
 20. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2, additionallycomprising: said stack of wrappers having a cover surrounding said stackof wrappers forming a cartridge; a cover aperture communicating throughsaid cover; and said cover aperture positioned to align with saidopening in said side edge as said cartridge slides into said interiorcavity.
 21. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 8, additionallycomprising: said stack of wrappers having a cover surrounding said stackof wrappers forming a cartridge; a cover aperture communicating throughsaid cover; and said cover aperture positioned to align with saidopening in said side edge as said cartridge slides into said interiorcavity.
 22. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 18, additionallycomprising: said stack of wrappers having a cover surrounding said stackof wrappers forming a cartridge; a cover aperture communicating throughsaid cover; and said cover aperture positioned to align with saidopening in said side edge as said cartridge slides into said interiorcavity
 23. A method for altering a tabletop sweetener container having asidewall extending from a bottom wall to form a cavity for holdingenvelopes of sugar or artificial sweetener by attaching a chewing gumdisposal wrapper dispensing apparatus for employment in combination withsaid sweetener container comprising the steps of: attaching a housinghaving a substantially “U” shaped housing sidewall and a bottom wall andhaving an aperture communicating through said housing sidewall to saidsweetener container sidewall to thereby form an interior cavity betweensaid housing sidewall and said sweetener sidewall which is accessible byan opening opposite said bottom wall; placing a plurality of interleavedwrappers each said wrappers having a leading edge and each said wrapperhaving a trailing edge removably engaged to a said leading edge of asubsequent said wrapper in said plurality, into said interior cavitythrough said opening; and placing a leading edge of a first of saidplurality of interleaved wrappers through said aperture.
 24. A tabletopsweetener container comprising: a sidewall extending substantiallyperpendicular from a bottom wall; a cavity defined by the area betweensaid sidewall and bottom wall; an edge of said sidewall opposite saidbottom wall defining an opening communicating with said cavity; ahousing engaged with said sidewall, said housing having an interiorcavity; a plurality of interleaved wrappers in a stack, each saidwrappers having a leading edge and a trailing edge; means for removableengagement of said trailing edge of each said wrapper in said stack to asaid leading edge of an adjacent subsequently placed said wrapper insaid stack; and an aperture communicating through said housing with saidinterior cavity, said aperture providing means to place a said leadingedge of a first of said wrappers in said stack to a projecting positionextending from said aperture whereby said wrappers are sequentiallydispensable from said stack through said aperture.